Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(5): 3268-3273
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 5 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com
Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.905.387
Study of Breeding Biology and Egg Parameters of Red-Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) in Agri- Fields of Sirsa, Haryana, India
Pratibha Sharma*, Gaurav Narwal and Kamalpreet Kaur
Department of Zoology, School of agriculture and natural sciences, CT University, Ludhiana,142024, Punjab, India
*Corresponding author
ABSTRACT
This study documented some aspects of breeding biology and egg parameters of Red-Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) such as nest
structure, nesting material, breeding season, clutch size, egg parameters, K e yw or ds incubation period, hatching success in agricultural fields of village Ramnagaria, Sirsa, Haryana. During breeding season the male bird selected Breeding, Hatching, the territory. Both male and female took part in building nest. The nest was Hatchling , Incubation , Nesting a circular depression encircled by stones or pieces of hard clay. Egg length,
Article Info egg width, egg weight, egg volume, egg shape index and egg specific
gravity observed were 40mm, 30.17mm, 20.27gm 16.63ml, 75.42 and Accepted: 3 26 April 2020 1.21g/cm respectively. The incubation period of 27 days was completed by Available Online: both parents. The hatching success observed was 75%. Both parents 10 May 2020 protected the territory and protected their young ones completely till
became good fliers. The hatchlings were able to fly within 21-27 days after hatching. The overall breeding activities were completed within 64-77
days.
Introduction Gulf to all South Asia including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bengladesh Vanellus indicus belongs to the family (Ali and Ripley, 2001; Birdlife International, Charadriidae of the order Charadriiformes. 2009). Globally, conservation status of red The red-wattled lapwing is a terrestrial bird of wattled lapwing is least concern (IUCN, open fields. They prefer to live in outskirts of 2018). These are common, widespread and towns and villages in open fields near large waders of Indian subcontinent. Red- wetlands and are often found in pairs or trios. wattled lapwings are about 35cm long with This species occurs geographically and brownish back having purplish sheen but the generally from Iran, Iraq, the Arabian/Persian head, chest, front and back of neck are black.
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A patch of white color can be seen running to ground-nesting birds(Fletcher et al., 2005) from tail through the belly flanking the neck or the inadvertent trampling of eggs or chicks to the sides of the crown. A red colored wattle by cattle (Taej Mundkur, pers. comm. 2011) in front of each eye, a dark grey tipped red are responsible for the destruction of eggs. beak and long yellow legs are seen. In flight, The aim of the present study was to study the prominent white wing bars formed by the breeding biology and egg parameters of red- white on the secondary coverts. Males and wattled lapwing in agricultural fields of females are indistinguishable but males have Haryana. a longer wing with a longer carpel spur. It usually feeds on beetles, ants, caterpillars and Materials and Methods vegetable residues (Grimmett et al., 2008). The breeding biology of Vanellus indicus was Casting of nest is an important part of bird's studied in agricultural fields of village biology as it plays a key role in shaping the Ramnagaria, Sirsa, Haryana during the month relationships between parents with their of February to April, 2020. A pair of red offspring. Nidification behavior is also very wattled lapwing was spotted. Frequent important for maintaining the ecological and sightings of bird(s) during the breeding period genetically balances, (Saxena and Saxena, were suggestive of the presence of a breeding 2013). In natural conditions, the eggs of pair there. Nesting material used and site of Vanellus indicus are laid in a ‘ground scrape’ nesting of nest was observed with naked eyes or a depression, sometimes fringed with throughout the study period. The observations pebbles and goat, or, hare droppings (Sharma were taken with full precautions without 1992), although there are reports of breeding disturbing birds. Number of eggs laid, clutch on buildings in cities (Muralidhar and Barve, size, incubation period, number of hatchlings 2012). Vanellus indicus is a monogamous bird were recorded. Nests were monitored twice a which is very specific about breeding areas. day i.e. in morning and evening. Number of The mating site is chosen by male whereas eggs damaged and hatching success was also female lapwing lay about 3-4 eggs in a little observed. The egg length and width was depression in open areas or ground which is measured using a digital LCD vernier caliper. surrounded by pebbles or bits of hard earth Digital weighing machine was used to weigh (Saxena and Saxena, 2013). The courtship the eggs and recordings were taken. 2 eggs behavior is displayed from March to June. were collected from the nests to calculate the Incubation of about takes 28-30 days is egg parameters including egg volume, egg performed by both the guardians followed by shape index and specific gravity. To estimate hatching. Precocial chicks are capable of the egg volume data was analyzed using leaving the nest almost immediately after empirical formula given by Galbraith, 1988, hatching and are able to follow the parents in using parameters length (L) and breadth (B): search of food. Both guardians secure nesting region, and also ensure that the young have Egg Volume= (0.457) × (L) × (B2) × 10-3ml developed full plumage (3 to 5 weeks) and Egg shape index was estimated using the have become strong fliers, (Saxena and micrometer according to Anderson et al., Saxena,2013; Muralidhar and Barve, 2013). (2004) using the equation: Factors like predators including house crow (Corvus splendens), pariah kite (Milvus migrans), dogs, cats and anthropogenic × 100 activities( Khalil et al., 2018), human threats According to this the eggs were classified
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with respect to shape index (SI), namely as a 1999). The area of territory was protected by sharp egg (SI < 72), a normal (standard) egg both the parents and any intrusion in that area (SI = 72–76) or a round egg (SI > 76) (Sarica resulted in alarming calls by the parents and and Erensayin, 2009). they also attacked the intruder.
Egg specific gravity was calculated according Nest building started on 15th March 2020. to Stadelman and Cotterill, (1995) using the Both birds participated in nest building. The equation: construction of nest started from early morning up to noon and then in evening on successive days which was similar to nest building behavior of passerine birds (Collias, 1997). Both parents participated equally in Hatching success was calculated with the nest construction. Initially, they gathered traditional method (% of eggs that hatched nesting material like pebbles, sticks from successfully out of total eggs laid). Parental surrounding areas which was in accordance care and foraging habits during the incubation with Balkhande and Shaikh, (2017). Then the period were recorded. In addition, their pair scraped off the upper layer of the behavior towards potential predators and hardened soil on the ground and made a human beings was also noted. Photographs depression using toes and pebbles were were taken through a Sony DSLR Cyber-shot placed in the nest one by one using their digital camera. beaks. The width and depth of the nest measured was 24.5 cm and 3.4cm Results and Discussion respectively. The nest was perfectly in camouflage to the surrounding land color and Breeding Biology of Red wattle lapwing texture due to which it was very difficult to locate the nest of this lapwing. The birds were spotted moving in pairs between 4 -6 March, 2020 in agricultural The size of clutch in Red- wattled lapwing fields. The male initiated the courtship. Male was observed to be of four eggs which were reached first towards the female with its in range of 3–4 eggs reported by Kumar & puffed feathers, fanned tail, the neck in Sharma (2011). The eggs were laid on stretched position and the beak pointing alternate days starting from 21 March 2020 upwards. The male bird showed tumbling till 25 March 2020 i.e. in 5 days while flights and produced songs. Female responded Muralidhar and Barve (2013) observed that to these antics of the male by giving short, cryptic four eggs were laid in a period of four quickly repeated calls. Singh, (2004) also days. The arrangement of the eggs was such observed that the male produces mating call is that the edges meet in the center, making it in the form songs, show flights and mock. easier for the lapwing to incubate the eggs.
The territory was first acquired by the male The eggs of Red wattle lapwing were dotterel followed by call notes to the female and once type much pointed towards the other with a the female arrived she was greeted by the pale olive green color. On the surface dark male by wheeling in air. A territory was brownish or black markings or spots were maintained by the breeding pair in the observed all over the egg. The incubation surrounding of their nest. The site selection process took near about 27 days which was has been studied in birds (Clark and Shulter, more than Saxena and Saxena, (2013),
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Balkhande and Shaikh (2017) who reported they were constantly vigilant and called 24-25 days of incubation (2017) and less than incessantly. They remained active at all hours Muralidhar and Barve (2013) who reported and were often heard even past midnight, 30-32 days of incubation. The nest was probably driving away potential predators. observed during the whole study period. The hatchlings were covered with grayish Three eggs hatched out successfully on 17th brown colored feathers. They had a broad April, 2020 at a time difference of 2.5 –3 white collar, a black pectoral band, the chin hours between each hatching which was and rest of the under parts were white tinged immensely different from the observations of whereas the belly and the flanks were light Saxena and Saxena (2013) who reported that brownish colored. The newly born chickens the young hatched out one after the other were nidifugous as they left the nest as soon starting at an interval of 46-48 hours. One egg as they were dry and were able to move about didn’t hatched and remained unattended by with great ease. Their brown color helped both parents. The hatching success of eggs them to blend in the surroundings. The calculated was 75%. The broken shells were brooding mother kept freshly hatched young cleared away from the nest and dropped into warm at night. Day brooding stops after 3-5 an outer area by both the parents. days of first hatching. Night brooding stopped only after the chicks were partly fledged After hatching the male and female Lapwing which took about 14 days. The hatchlings were observed to jointly take up the all were able to fly within 21-26 days after responsibility of rearing the young ones as hatching (Table 1 and Fig. 1).
Table.1 Breeding biology of Red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
Breeding activities Observations Site selection 8-10 days Nidification 6-8 days Egg laying 5 days Egg color Olive green with black spots Clutch size 4 Number of eggs hatched 3 Incubation 23-27 days Hatching 1 day Hatching success of eggs 75% Fledging 21-26 days Overall breeding activity 64-77 days
Table.2 Egg parameters of Red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
Egg Parameters Observations Egg length 40 mm Egg width 30.17 mm Egg weight 20.27 gm Egg volume 16.63 ml Egg shape index 75.42 Egg specific gravity 1.21gm/cm3
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Figure.1 (a) Spotting of Red-wattled lapwing pair, (b) Egg of lapwing, d) Bird during Incubation period (e) Initiation of hatching, (f) Hatchlings, (g) Nidifugous behavior of hatchlings
Eggs parameters of red wattle lapwing explained out to me solutions to the problems that had a straining effect. Without her help it Egg length, width and weight observed were was a matter of acute impossibility to propel 40mm, 30.17mm and 20.27gm respectively in this endeavour. It is a matter of profound which were in accordance with the privilege, and pleasure to pay my sincere and observations of Kaur and Khera, (2017). Egg heartfelt thanks to her. I am also very grateful volume, egg shape index and egg specific to Gaurav Narwal who edited the manuscript. gravity calculated were 16.63ml, 75.42 and 1.21g/cm3 respectively. As per the value of References shape index (75.42) the eggs of red-wattled lapwing were classified as a normal Anderson, K.E., J.B. Tharrington, P.A. Curtis, (standard) egg with SI = 72–76. and F.T Jones, 2004: Shell characteristics of eggs from historic Both the partners incubated the eggs but most strains of single comb white leghorn of the time in a day female did most the work chickens and relationship of egg shape of incubation. The male helped the female in to shell strength. International Journal some time mostly during the hot afternoons in of Poultry Science 3, 17-19. scorching heat of sun (Table 2). Balkhande J V and Shaikh Azeem, 2017. Study of Nesting pattern and breeding Acknowledgement Biology of Red-Wattled Lapwing Vanellus Indicus in agricultural field I express my gratitude to everyone who near to Asna River bridge, Nanded supported me and to Dr. Kamalpreet Kaur, for (Maharashtra). Research magma An the keen interest she took in me. She International Multidisciplinary Journal.
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How to cite this article:
Pratibha Sharma, Gaurav Narwal and Kamalpreet Kaur. 2020. Study of Breeding Biology and Egg Parameters of Red-Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) in Agri- Fields of Sirsa, Haryana, India. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 9(05): 3268-3273. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.905.387
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